Full metadata record
| DC Field | Value | Language |
|---|---|---|
| dc.contributor | School of Fashion and Textiles | en_US |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Yip, Joanne (SFT) | en_US |
| dc.creator | Liu, Pak Yiu | - |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/13581 | - |
| dc.language | English | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Hong Kong Polytechnic University | en_US |
| dc.rights | All rights reserved | en_US |
| dc.title | Efficacy and mechanistic study of posture correction girdle on adolescents with early scoliosis | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | In Hong Kong, 2-3% of all adolescents suffer from adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), one of the most common conditions related to their growth spurt (Student Health Service - Department of Health 2022; Chan, 2019; Lam, 2010). Cases of scoliosis with a lateral curvature larger than or equal to a Cobb angle of 10° are typically considered as a medical issue (Hresko, 2013). The likelihood of spinal progression in girls is 3.6 times higher than in boys (Kubat & Ovadia, 2020; Weinstein, 1994). Patients with a spinal curvature larger than 25° are recommended to undergo therapy with a hard brace, while surgery may be required if the curvature progresses to 40−50° (Spoonamore, 2024; Hresko, 2013). However, the usual course of action for those whose spinal curvature is less than 25° is typically only observation with periodic examinations (Yip et al., 2016). To address the issues of the lack of appropriate orthosis products for early scoliosis treatment and the problems with existing orthosis products for scoliosis treatment in the market, Liu et al. (2015) developed a posture correction girdle (PCG) for adolescents with early scoliosis (i.e. Cobb angle 10−20°) with the aim to reduce posture imbalance and, consequently, the likelihood that the spinal curvature will continue to advance. Patients with AIS are more likely to experience scoliosis progression due to changes in posture and asymmetry (Kouwenhoven and Castelein, 2008; Fortin et al., 2012). They may also experience painful symptoms that worsen as a result of poor posture and insufficient control over their postural stability, according to Wong and Wong (2008) and Chen et al. (1998). In view of this, using a posture training device could be a feasible and suitable way to help AIS patients (Wong and Wong, 2008; Lenssinek et al., 2005). This is also the reason behind the development of the PCG in Liu et al. (2015). | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | According to the initial findings, the PCG may be able to control the progression of spinal curvature and contribute to reducing posture imbalance in the frontal, horizontal, and sagittal planes (Liu et al., 2015; Yip et al., 2016). Yet, the PCG is custom-made, so that there is a long production lead time. Limitations are also found with the girdle design which affects the exertion of corrective forces and wear comfort. In order to optimise the exertion and effectiveness of the corrective forces, as well as enhance wear comfort, this study modifies the PCG by refining the design features and replacing materials with those that have better properties. This study also develops a sizing system for the modified posture correction girdle (mPCG) so that the girdle can be mass produced and customised, and thus reduce production cost and wait time of patients. Furthermore, this study examines the corrective mechanism and performance of the mPCG through finite element (FE) modelling, as well as facilitate and streamline the girdle prescription and fitting processes by building an intelligent prescription system. It is then anticipated that the mPCG can be considered as a personalised orthosis treatment to help adolescents with early scoliosis or posture issues. Therefore, enhancement of the effectiveness of treatment, reduced treatment costs, and promotion of the use of the mPCG could be realised. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | A school screening programme has been carried out to understand the prevalence of AIS in Hong Kong and approach potential subjects for the wear trial in this study. Of the 1747 participants, 487 (27.88%) are suspected to have scoliosis and 247 of the 487 accepted the offer for a radiographic examination. That is, 6.07%, 5.6% and 2.46% of the school-screened participants are diagnosed with a spinal curvature less than 10°, between 10°-20° and more than 20° respectively. After modifications are made to the girdle and the sizing system is developed, 10 subjects are recruited for the 9-month wear trial but 2 withdrew in the early stages of the study. Scientific experiments are conducted at the beginning of the wear trial (0 M), and after three (3 M), six (6 M) and nine (9 M) months. The test results including changes in spinal curvature (radiographic examination and comparison of Cobb angle), improvements in posture balance (3D body scanning and posture angle), and the effects on proprioception deficit (Vicon Nexus 3D motion capture system) are analysed to evaluate the efficacy of the girdle. It is found that the girdling treatment shows a good performance for posture correction except correcting the alignment in the horizontal plane, while improvements in proprioception deficits are not apparent. In regard to controlling the spinal curvature, 6 of the subjects show a significant and immediate reduction (which ranges from a reduction of 5° to 11°) after donning the girdle for 2 hours. On the other hand, 4 of the 8 subjects show an apparent reduction for the long-term after completion of the 9-month intervention even when the girdle is doffed (curve reduction ranges from 5.2° to 8°). The ability of the mPCG to control the progression of the spinal curvature is more apparent for those with an S curve. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | Aside from the experiments mentioned above, the compliance rate with the girdling treatment and the questionnaire results related to quality-of-life evaluation during the wear trial are also discussed. It is found that the average compliance rate with the mPCG is 95%, which is 1.75% higher than that with the original PCG in Liu (2015). The increase in compliance might be due to the modified girdle design and use of other fabric materials, which improve the girdle both aesthetically and functionally (i.e. wear comfort, convenience, effectiveness of corrective mechanism). Besides, it is found that the subjects who show an apparent reduction in their spinal curvature after the 9-month wear trial tend to comply more with the treatment. The data collected by the temperature logger also indicate that the level of thermal comfort of the girdling treatment is acceptable, and none of the subjects reported any issues during the intervention period. In regard to the quality-of-life questionnaire results, the subjects indicate concerns with their “self-perceived image” and “stress level”, but the level of satisfaction with the girdling treatment in this study is comparable or excels that of other studies (Wong, 2021; Weiss et al., 2007). The results show that the subjects might need more time to become accustomed to the girdling treatment. Since the mPCG is not yet commercially available, the general public might be curious about this device, which might cause the subjects in this study to feel uncomfortable. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | On the other hand, an FE model is developed in this study for simulating and predicting the corrective effects of the mPCG. The pressure distribution on the skeletal model and the displacement of each vertebral body can be calculated by simulating the use of the mPCG. Modifications made to the wear parameters make it possible to improve the efficacy of the mPCG in terms of the spinal adjustment and optimise the pressure distribution on the skeletal model. The corrective mechanism of the mPCG is examined by using the developed FE model. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | Finally, an intelligent system that consists of a decision tree and a trained neural network (NN) is developed to identify target patients who are suitable for the girdling treatment with the mPCG, as well as choosing the appropriate wear parameters (e.g. placement of padding to produce the points of pressure) for patients according to their needs and spinal conditions without the need to undergo a trial-and-error process. The rate of accuracy of the final model of the decision tree is 100%., which means that the model is highly reliable. The trained NN is also highly accurate in predicting the curvatures, with Curve 1 at 96.36%, Curve 2 at 96.97%, and Curve 3 at 93.94% | en_US |
| dcterms.extent | xxii, 252 pages : color illustrations | en_US |
| dcterms.isPartOf | PolyU Electronic Theses | en_US |
| dcterms.issued | 2025 | en_US |
| dcterms.educationalLevel | Ph.D. | en_US |
| dcterms.educationalLevel | All Doctorate | en_US |
| dcterms.LCSH | Scoliosis -- Patients -- Treatment | en_US |
| dcterms.LCSH | Scoliosis in children | en_US |
| dcterms.LCSH | Orthopedic apparatus | en_US |
| dcterms.LCSH | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations | en_US |
| dcterms.accessRights | open access | en_US |
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